Relevance: GS II (Education & Human Resources), GS III (Agriculture)
Source: PIB Fact Sheet – Agricultural Education & Training in India
Agriculture supports nearly half of India’s population and contributes ~18% of GDP. To achieve “Viksit Krishi, Samruddh Kisan,” India must strengthen the triad of education, research and extension—the backbone of rural development and productivity growth.
India’s Institutional Ecosystem
Component | Strengths | Gaps |
| ICAR System | 113+ research institutes; national coordination | Limited industry linkages; uneven quality |
| Agricultural Universities (74) | Regional hubs for teaching–research–extension | Infrastructure & faculty shortages |
| Extension Network | KVKs, digital advisories, state departments | Limited last-mile reach; fragmented coordination |
| Agri-tech Adoption | Drones, sensors, AI tools emerging | Low penetration; limited farmer training |
Key Issues Facing the Sector
- Curriculum outdated in many universities; insufficient focus on AI, digital tools, or climate-smart agriculture.
- Weak linkages between research institutes, universities and extension agencies.
- Low technology absorption among small and marginal farmers due to poor training and digital divide.
- Livelihood vulnerability demands stronger applied research on climate resilience, soil health, and water management.
Why Education–Research–Extension Must Work Together
- Education provides skilled manpower.
- Research creates improved seeds, techniques, climate-resilient practices.
- Extension ensures farm-level adoption, bridging lab-to-field gaps.
Without this convergence, India cannot close yield gaps or make farming profitable.
Reform Priorities for a Future-Ready Agriculture
Priority | Needed Actions |
| Modernise Curriculum | Integrate AI, drones, precision farming, agribusiness, climate modelling. |
| Strengthen Research Capacity | Upgrade labs, promote interdisciplinary research, incentivise young scientists. |
| Revamp Extension | Cluster demonstrations, women-focused training, digital advisories in local languages. |
| Link with Industry & Startups | PPPs, agritech incubators, student internships. |
| Institutional Coordination | ICAR–State–University joint programmes under “One Nation–One Agriculture–One Team.” |
| Inclusivity | Focus on women farmers, SHGs, tribal & hill regions. |
One-Line Wrap
India’s farm future depends on modernising agricultural education and making research and extension work together where it matters—on the field.
UPSC Mains Question
“Assess the challenges in India’s agricultural education and extension systems. How can reforms strengthen the goal of Viksit Krishi?”
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